‘Traffic disruption on Shillong-Guwahati highway resolved’
Shillong, Aug 20: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong on Thursday said the situation in Shillong is under control after Wednesday’s violence and there is no need for night curfew.
He also informed that the traffic disruption on Shillong-Guwahati highway has been resolved.
After chairing a review meeting with Chief Secretary, DGP, DC and SP of East Khasi Hills, Tynsong said no untoward incident was reported till Thursday evening.
“We have been briefed by the district administration. Till this evening things are going well. We have instructed the district to be more active during the night to ensure law and order is under control. That situation has not arisen, so we will not have night curfew,” he said.
On the road blockade reported at Jorabat and Khanapara along the Shillong-Guwahati National Highway since morning, Tynsong said both states have intervened.
“We instructed Ri-Bhoi district administration, and our Chief Secretary and DGP were in touch with their counterparts in Assam. The problem was resolved this evening itself. As we speak, traffic movement is smooth on both sides,” he said.
Revealing that KSU had turned down the government’s offer for talks before the rally, Tynsong said the administration had invited them through the Deputy Commissioner.
“The Chief Minister had communicated through the DC inviting KSU for talks, but they turned it down saying their programme was already fixed. We thought the rally would be peaceful as assured to the district administration,” he said.
Tynsong said the government’s doors are always open for dialogue but the focus now is to restore peace and normalcy, adding that the government is firm and the MMPO Act is in place.
Denying intelligence failure, he said permission was granted with conditions and KSU had assured a peaceful and dignified rally.
“When you look at the rally, quite a number of boys were masked. This clearly shows their intention was not peaceful. Law will take its own course,” he said, assuring that people are safe and secure.
Tynsong said the government is using drones and CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators.
“Now the government, the district administration are on the job. Let me assure you that yesterday we have put in place drones as well as CCTV and the district administration is on the job to identify those criminals who unnecessarily caused damage and committed criminal activities. Law will take its own course,” he said.
“We have seen the criminals attack government vehicles and Assam vehicles which is against national interest and peace and tranquillity of both states,” he added.
He further informed that Chief Ministers of both states are in touch to restore normalcy.
“Both Chief Ministers of Meghalaya and Assam are in touch and will form some kind of joint committee and both Chief Ministers will soon announce measures to restore normalcy and peace in both states,” Tynsong said.
